John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

what about this idea? Sure it's mentioned before but I don't find anything about it.

thanks!

Depends on how you are using them. If you want to use the blocks as one leaf of a m-a-m type arrangement, then they definitely need to be filled, either with sand or mortar or something. Otherwise the two sides of the bock will be two separate leaves, and we'd have a triple-leaf arrangement.

I wanna use this kind of building for practicing rooms, not recording or control. Only practicing rooms. Is a good idea so?

Practice rooms also need good isolation, so filling block walls with sand is nearly as important as it would be for a studio - are you planning to add a second wall beside the blocks between rooms? If not, you might be better off NOT filling the blocks, but instead rendering both sides and adding 1 or 2 layers of gypsum WITHOUT air space on EACH side of the blocks… Steve

so, it's better 2 layers of gypsium both sides of the wall instead of filling the blocks of sand?? But there is a huge diference?

I don't wanna the best sound in the rooms, I only want not to disturbe one each other, but in the more cheap way of building.

What do you advice me?

Hugo, I could come much closer to a proper answer for you if I have more info -

first, can you please update your PROFILE (top of the page link) to include a LOCATION? This can change everything - material costs and availability are several TIMES different in different parts of the world, and we have members all over the world. Knowing where you are will change my answers on several things.

Second, are these block walls already in place?

What is their overall thickness?

What will the floor, ceiling and doors be made of (be specific here, not just general terms but sizes, thickness, etc)

If possible, a sketch showing layout would help.

Also, will there be drums/bass involved? This is harder to isolate, so I'd need to know.

Waiting... Steve

Sorry, I'm from Spain...

my project is building 10 or 12 practicing rooms for many bands next to my city. And build a small recording studio in the same place.

But I don't need the best isolation for my practicing rooms, so I wanna the best isolation with the minor cost. It is possible?

I see many kind of building of the same kind that I want. Made by concrete blocks and carpet on the inner side of the room. But I don't know this if is not the best cheap isolation, and I looking for it.

up!

Hugo, I guess from your comments that these walls are not yet built, correct? But you still haven't answered these -

What is their overall thickness?

What will the floor, ceiling and doors be made of (be specific here, not just general terms but sizes, thickness, etc)

If possible, a sketch showing layout would help.

Also, will there be drums/bass involved? This is harder to isolate, so I'd need to know.

And one more - do NOT, repeat NOT, put CARPET on your walls - it is CRAP for acoustic treatment (only absorbes high mid to high frequencies) , it is a FIRE HAZARD, and it does NOTHING for sound isolation.

As soon as you answer the rest of the questions, I can answer yours.

If possible, a drawing of your intended layout would help a LOT... Steve

Block sizes are : 200 mm x 200mm x 400 mm

there is a concrete floor, and celing are over 8 meters above.

I have many pics but I don't know where to upload on this page...

There will be bass and drums involved.

another picture...

From the pictures it looks to me like the existing building is a "tip-up" - in other words, the walls were poured concrete slabs, poured one on top of another while laid flat, then "tipped up" with a crane and cemented in place - is this so, or am I seeing an added wall treatment of some kind?

Next, for interior rooms I need to know what prices you have to pay for some materials -

200x200x400mm concrete blocks

1200x2400x15mm gypsum wallboard

90mm x 35mm x 3000mm 20 gauge steel frame studs

90mm x 35mm x 3000mm wood frame studs

140mm x 35mm x 4800mm wood joist

This info should help decide whether block walls or gypsum/frame walls will be cheaper... Steve

200x200x400mm concrete blocks ---- 1'46€ one block

gypsum wallboard 1200x2000x13mm --- 5'69€

90mm x 35mm x 3000mm 20 gauge steel frame studs --- ??

90mm x 35mm x 3000mm wood frame studs --- ??

140mm x 35mm x 4800mm wood joist --- ??

i don't know the prices of the other materials

But i supose that prices are similar in both countries...

What about ceiling?

You said "But i supose that prices are similar in both countries" - but I've found (from talking to our members, who live in nearly every country in the world) that there can be VAST differences in price - some areas in England I've been quoted price on the gypsum wallboard of TEN TIMES what your cost is - (good news for YOU, not them) - and other countries have similar price differences in other materials. Your block, for example, is a bit more expensive than in some countries. The wood for framing, whether expensive or not, will likely be similar for steel framing.

It will take me a while to find time to figure out which construction method will be cheaper/better for you; while I'm doing that, can you please work on a possible floor plan of what goes where? Thanks... Steve

thank you very much, knightfly. I'll start the plans today and I'll try to post it tomorrow. But there are some things you must know. My idea or project is building a recording studio and 10 practicing rooms in the same floor and thinking of a 2º floor for future projects...

I'm fool, I know but is my idea...

thanks I'll send you the plans soon.